The Ontario regulator responsible for alcohol and gambling, the AGCO, has made a major move by mandating that all sports wagering platforms in the province immediately halt the provision and acceptance of bets on World Boxing Association (WBA) matches. This action arises from significant apprehensions about the honesty of WBA-sanctioned contests, especially regarding the possibility of manipulated outcomes and wagering based on privileged information.
The AGCO’s inquiry was initiated by questionable wagering conduct related to a WBA championship bout in Orlando, Florida, featuring Yunies Dorticos and Lenier Pero. Two distinct sports ethics entities identified atypical betting trends, particularly a spike in wagers placed on the fight exceeding 5.5 rounds. This unusual behavior was also detected by a licensed gaming entity in Ontario. Further fueling the dispute, press accounts have suggested that a person closely linked to Dorticos placed a substantial bet at a Florida gaming establishment on the fight going beyond the 5.5 round threshold. The bout concluded in the 10th round with Dorticos knocking out Pero.
Following a comprehensive examination, which involved discussions with the WBA, registered wagering providers, autonomous integrity overseers, and regulatory agencies in other regions, the AGCO concluded that wagering on WBA events no longer aligns with its criteria for probity. This determination emphasizes the AGCO’s dedication to upholding the impartiality and openness of sports wagering within Ontario.
Ontario maintains rigorous regulations concerning wagering on athletic competitions, prioritizing fairness and transparency. They mandate that any sporting body providing betting options for their events must implement robust measures to combat insider wagering.
Lately, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) was compelled to halt wagers on World Boxing Association (WBA) bouts due to dissatisfaction with the WBA’s attempts to curb this form of dishonesty. Essentially, the WBA couldn’t demonstrate adequate efforts to prevent individuals like trainers, representatives, or even the competitors themselves from placing bets on matches using privileged knowledge.
This isn’t the first instance of AGCO intervention. They took comparable measures against the UFC in 2022. The UFC addressed the AGCO’s apprehensions earnestly, rectified their practices, and wagering resumed. The WBA will need to follow suit if they wish for Ontario residents to have the opportunity to wager on their boxing matches once more.
The AGCO’s stance is unambiguous: they are committed to safeguarding individuals who engage in sports betting and will not hesitate to intervene if they perceive a threat to the integrity of the contests.
The province of Ontario has a strong passion for boxing, and it’s anticipated that wagers on World Boxing Association bouts will skyrocket once the controversies surrounding rigged matches are resolved.
This agreement with the regulatory body responsible for alcohol and gaming represents a significant opportunity for Air Dice, as they have been eager to tap into the lucrative North American online gambling market.